Bible Society

The Bible Society began in 1804 as the British and Foreign Bible Society. Today there are Bible Societies in many countries around the globe which work together to bring God’s revelation, inspiration and wisdom to people in all walks of life.

In the UK and other Western countries, this means developing initiatives to show that the Bible is still relevant in the twenty-first century. SUSA is a project aimed at bringing an awareness of God’s Word to the UK’s government. You’ve Got the Time sees the New Testament dramatised in 40 half-hour audio clips by Riding Lights Theatre Company and is designed for busy people who want to listen to the Bible in the car or on their MP3 players.

In the developing world, the need is for Bible translation and Bible distribution. In many places such as China and parts of Africa and SE Asia, there is a great thirst for the Bible but few people can afford to buy their own copy. Bible Society aims to subsidize the cost so that more people can have a copy of the scriptures. Also, in places where the majority of people are illiterate, audio versions of the Bible are often used, such as the Proclaimer.

St John’s has partnered with Bible Society for a number of years. Through the Bible-a-Month club, individuals at St John’s give more than 100 Bibles each month. If you are interested in joining Bible-a-Month, where for £4 each month you can give a Bible to someone in need, just ring 01793 418222. It’s a great way to make a great difference in someone’s life.

Recently Heather Clements of Bible Society shared with us the inspiring stories of God’s Love and Grace that she saw on a visit to Cambodia, particularly among the very poor people living in a floating village. They had very little but their most treasured possession was the bible they had been given in their own language. This a was a spur for members of the family to improve their reading skills so that they could understand more of God and of His Son Jesus Christ

It is exciting to be part of Bible Society’s work. To give the living Word of God to those without hope is indeed a privilege. Let us continue in prayer as we chip away at the huge task before us:
• More than 4,500 languages still wait for even one book of the Bible
• Although a billion people can’t read, only 3% of languages have the Bible in audio.
• Every 5 seconds someone goes blind but the Bible exists in Braille in only 30 languages.
• A billion people live on less than 60p a day, making the Bible a luxury they cannot afford.
• In our own land the Bible is no longer a point of reference for everyday life.

Search the Bible, see how the Bible is changing lives and find out about the Bible.